• 20 MAY 2021

Post-Cabinet Media Briefing – Thursday 20th May, 2021

Trinidad and Tobago is set to receive 24,000 AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines, due to the kind donations from the Governments of St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Bermuda.
Minister of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs, Senator the Hon. Dr. Amery Browne made the disclosure at the Post-Cabinet Media Briefing held at the Diplomatic Center, St Ann’s today (Thursday 20th May, 2021).
Minister Browne announced that earlier today, the Ministry of Health received 16,000 AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines donated by the Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and the country is expected to receive an additional 8,000 AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines from the Government of Bermuda next week.

He said the vaccine donations are a result of the strong diplomatic relations between Trinidad and Tobago and the two countries.

The Postponement of SEA 2021

Minister of Education, Dr. the Hon. Nyan Gadsby-Dolly announced that the Secondary Entrance Assessment Exam (SEA) will now be held on Thursday 1st July, 2021, with results expected to be released in the second week of September, to facilitate the placement of students in secondary schools by the third week of September.

Minister Gadsby-Dolly stated that the postponement of the exam from June 10th, 2021 had become necessary due to the trajectory of the COVID-19 pandemic and the ensuing challenges posed by the Health regulations.

She said, “While the examinations are important, and all preparations are being made for their safe conduct, they are not more important than the health of the population, and the latter will not be sacrificed for the sake of the former.”

The Minister said during consultations with stakeholders, concerns were raised about the safety of the face-to-face interactions of students. She said the Ministry of Education will continue to monitor the presence of positive COVID-19 cases in the country.

Regarding the CSEC and CAPE examinations, Minister Dolly said Trinidad and Tobago has indicated to the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC), support for the deferral of the commencement of examinations of no longer than three weeks.

Food Support Initiative

Minister of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries, Senator the Hon. Clarence Rambharat said Government’s food support initiative continues to assist families in need during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Minister Rambharat said since the Prime Minister’s May 3rd, 2021 announcement for food packages to be allocated, to date a total of 13 thousand food packages have been distributed.

The Minister thanked the farmers and the National Agricultural Marketing and Development Corporation (NAMDEVCO) for their participation in the initiative.